- Must visit
National Museum Cardiff
Wales’s national art and natural history museum, with Impressionist paintings, geology, and major collections in an elegant civic building.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cambridge to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cambridge to Cardiff will cost around €56 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €39.
On Tue, Nov 03, we found 4 trains from Cambridge to Cardiff, including 4 direct services.
On Tue, Nov 03 the direct trains cover the 240 km distance in an average of 3 h 41 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 25 m .
On Tue, Nov 03 the slowest trains will take 3 h 55 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

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Trains from Cambridge to Cardiff run on average 8 times per day, taking around 3h 46m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €38 but you can travel from only €15 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 04:08, the last at 21:20. The fastest train covers the 149 miles (240 km) distance in 2h 49m.
Plan this route
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Cambridge to Cardiff.
The table below shows live departures for Cambridge to Cardiff trains for today, Monday, November 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W34630+ G77005+ Tube from London Kings Cross to London Paddington | Delayed 2:48 PM 1:16 PMCambridge South | 3h22 | 4:38 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 transfers | |
| Tuesday, November 3 | |||||
![]() | 8:21 AM Cambridge | 3h55 | 12:16 PM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:21 AM Cambridge | 3h55 | 1:16 PM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:10 AM Cambridge | 3h30 | 1:40 PM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:12 AM Cambridge | 3h25 | 2:37 PM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Trains from Cambridge to Cardiff with Great Western Railway, CrossCountry, and Thameslink. Night trains available on this route with Great Western Railway. High-speed trains available on this route with Great Western Railway. Regional trains available on this route with Great Western Railway and Thameslink. Use the details below to compare onboard facilities.
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Cardiff — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cardiff trip today.
Wales’s national art and natural history museum, with Impressionist paintings, geology, and major collections in an elegant civic building.
Open-air history museum with rescued Welsh buildings, crafts, and exhibitions that bring everyday life from different eras vividly to life.
Compact city-centre museum telling Cardiff’s story through local archaeology, industry, and community displays inside the Old Library.
Revitalised waterfront district with basin views, modern landmarks, trails, and easy access to culture, public art, and waterside walks.
Large central park behind the castle, ideal for riverside walks, arboretum views, sculptures, and quick escapes from the busy centre.
Victorian shopping arcade packed with independent boutiques and period detail, representing Cardiff’s famous arcade culture at its best.
A Welsh breakfast staple of seaweed cooked into a savoury puree, often served with oats or alongside bacon and cockles. It is a classic taste of Welsh coastal cooking.
Cockles gathered from the Welsh coast, commonly eaten with laverbread. They are a long-standing local delicacy linked to South Wales seaside food culture.
A traditional Welsh broth made with lamb or beef, root vegetables, and leeks. It is hearty, homely, and closely associated with Welsh family cooking.
Refined modern British dining with tasting menus in an elegant city-centre setting. It is one of Cardiff’s most acclaimed fine dining restaurants.
A stylish venue known for seasonal Welsh ingredients, creative small plates, and a relaxed but polished atmosphere near the city centre.
Historic indoor market ideal for casual local food, Welsh cakes, fresh produce, and traditional snacks. It offers a lively everyday taste of Cardiff.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local transit and casual meals are manageable for most visitors.
Restaurants often add a 10-12.5% service charge; if not, tip around 10%. Taxi tips are optional, often rounded up. Cafes usually do not require tipping, but small tips are appreciated.
Official public transport app
Cardiff Central -> St Mary Street, Cardiff
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Cardiff.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cambridge to Cardiff by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cardiff, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cambridge to Cardiff trains use the Cambridge South to Cardiff Central station pair, with some services arriving at Cardiff Queen Street. Use this guide to compare Cambridge and Cardiff train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Cambridge is 1 km from Cambridge city centre. Public transport options include:
Cambridge has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Cambridge.
Wi-Fi is available at Cambridge. ATMs are available at Cambridge.
Ticket office support is available at Cambridge.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cambridge: Parking, WC.
Available at Cambridge: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cambridge: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Cambridge North is 3 km from Cambridge city centre. Public transport options include:
Cambridge North has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Cambridge North.
Wi-Fi is available at Cambridge North.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0800 028 2878.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cambridge North: Parking, WC.
Available at Cambridge North: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cambridge North: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible taxis: Details of the nearest taxi will be supplied by station staff, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Cardiff Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.
Food options include: Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen, Pret a Manger, Tesco Express
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located outside of the main entrance.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30, Sat: 05:40 - 21:30, Sun: 07:30 - 21:30.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cardiff Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Cardiff Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Central: There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.
Nearby hotels include Clayton Hotel Cardiff, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Travelodge Cardiff Central.
Cardiff Queen Street has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Cardiff Queen Street.
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff Queen Street. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cardiff Queen Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Cardiff Queen Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Queen Street: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machines are near the main entrance and take cash and major debit and credit cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Nearby hotels include Travelodge.
Llanishen is 5 km from Cardiff city centre. Public transport options include:
Llanishen has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking, and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Llanishen.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Llanishen: Parking.
Available at Llanishen: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Llanishen: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B2. Step free access to Platforms 1 (to Rhymney) via the car park. There are two routes onto the platform, one with a steep gradient and one with a moderate gradient. Step free access to Platform 2 (to Cardiff) via a ramp with a steep gradient. Access between the platforms is via a roadbridge with a walkway but no pavement, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) do not accept cash. Payment is by major debit and credit cards only, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Check train stations information for Cambridge and Cardiff, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.